Display device for vehicle

ABSTRACT

A display device for a vehicle includes an operating unit which a passenger can operate, and a display unit which displays various types of images based on an operation input at the operating unit. The operating unit and display unit are disposed separated from each other. The operating unit is situated between the eyes of a driver performing the operation input and the display unit, and overlays the display unit on the line-of-sight direction of the driver performing the operation input.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent ApplicationNos. 2013-073387, 2013-073388, 2013-073391, 2013-073392, 2013-073393,and 2013-073394, all filed on Mar. 29, 2013, the entire contents ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a display device for a vehicle.

2. Related Art

Heretofore, there have been known display devices for a vehicle whichcan display various types of information, such as map information. Sucha display device for a vehicle is disposed, for example, in aninstrument panel of an automobile, at the middle thereof in the widthdirection (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (JP-A)No. 2010-163114).

Generally, such display devices for a vehicle have an integrally-formeddisplay and operating unit. The display serves as a display unit, andthe operating unit is arranged so as to enable input of various types ofinformation (e.g., a touch panel). Accordingly, the driver or apassenger seated in the automobile has to reach forward to operate theoperating unit, which is problematic in terms of operability.

There has been proposed a display device of which the display isdisposed in an instrument panel, at the middle thereof in the widthdirection, while operating buttons serving as the operating unit areprovided to the steering wheel (see Publication (JP-A) No. 2012-022393).This display device allows the driver to operate the operating unitwithout reaching forward, thereby improving operability.

Now, display devices for a vehicle of which the display unit andoperating unit are provided separately, such as in JP-A No. 2012-022393,are often operated by the user looking at the operating unit whileoperating. This means that the user will be looking at the display unit(instrument panel), and then the operating unit (steering wheel), backto the display unit (instrument panel), and so on, when operating theoperating unit to display various types of information on the displayunit. Thus, the display device disclosed in JP-A No. 2012-022393 doeshave improved operability, but is insufficient with regard to ease ofvisual recognition, since the user has to continuously move the line ofsight back and forth.

On the other hand, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication(JP-A) No. 2012-071687 discloses a display device with an integrateddisplay and touch panel provided to the steering wheel. Now, the postureof the driver seated in the driver's seat differs depending on the bodytype of the driver. For example, some drivers prefer to sit in thedriver's seat with the torso and the steering wheel in relatively closeproximity. A driver in such a seating posture will have no problem inparticular in viewing display information displayed on a display devicewhere a display and touch panel have been integrated such as disclosedin JP-A No. 2012-071687. However, operation of the touch panel will bedifficult, since of the proximity to the driver.

Also, drivers generally tend to view the touch panel while operating thetouch panel. The display device disclosed in JP-A No. 2012-071687 willhave the line of sight of the driver oriented somewhat downwards when adriver having such a seating posture as described above operates thetouch panel. This means that to operate the touch panel while driving,the driver has to move his/her line of sight up and down between theoutside, ahead of the automobile, and the touch panel, which is a fairlylarge movement. Further, the driver has to focus back and forth betweenfaraway (outside the automobile) and up close (the touch panel), whichis not necessarily suitable.

Now, such display devices generally tend to have a small-sized displayscreen, due to dimensional restrictions within the cabin. Accordingly,displaying a great amount of information on such a display deviceresults in the display size of the information being small, and hencedifficult to view.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made to solve the above-describedinconveniences, and accordingly it is an object thereof to provide adisplay device for a vehicle in which both operability and improved easeof visual recognition are realized.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a displaydevice for a vehicle which enables displaying a great amount ofinformation at once without reducing the display size, thus enablinggood visual recognition.

An aspect of the present invention provides a display device for avehicle including: an operating unit to receive an operation input froma passenger; and a display unit to display various types of informationbased on the operation input from the operating unit. The operating unitand the display unit are disposed separated from each other, and theoperating unit is situated between the eyes of the passenger performingthe operation input and the display unit, and situated at a positionoverlaying the display unit in the line of sight of the passengerperforming operation input.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a display device for avehicle including: an operating unit to receive operation input from apassenger; and a display unit to display various types of displayinformation based on the operation input by the operating unit. Theoperating unit and the display unit are disposed separated from eachother, and the display unit is situated between the eyes of thepassenger performing the operation input and the operating unit, andsituated at a position overlaying the operating unit in the line ofsight of the passenger performing operation input.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a display device for avehicle including: a first display unit situated toward the front of thevehicle from a passenger seated in a seat; and a second display unitformed of a transparent or semi-transparent material, which is disposedseparated from the first display unit. The second display unit issituated between the eyes of the passenger viewing a display screen ofthe first display unit and the first display unit, and situated at aposition overlaying the first display unit in the line of sight of thepassenger viewing the display screen of the first display unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating inside of a cabin of avehicle, according to a first implementation of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the positional relation betweendriver, display panel, and input panel;

FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating the display panel and input panel asviewed from the driver's seat;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for describing a control system provided to anautomotive display system;

FIG. 5 is a diagram describing a “navigation menu screen”, as an exampleof an image displayed on the display panel;

FIG. 6 is a diagram describing a navigation screen, as an example of animage displayed on the display panel;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating inside of a cabin of avehicle, according to a second implementation of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating the positional relation betweendriver, display panel, and input panel;

FIG. 9 is a front view illustrating the display panel and input panel asviewed from the driver's seat;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram for describing a control system provided toan automotive information display system;

FIG. 11 is a diagram describing a “navigation menu screen”, as anexample of an image displayed on the display panel;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating inside of a cabin of avehicle, according to a third implementation of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a side view illustrating the positional relation betweendriver, display panel, and input panel;

FIG. 14 is a front view illustrating the display panel and input panelas viewed from the driver's seat;

FIG. 15 is a diagram describing a “navigation menu screen”, as anexample of an image displayed on the display panel;

FIG. 16 is a side view of the input panel;

FIG. 17 is a front view of the display panel and input panel from thedriver's seat, with the input panel tilted down;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along XVIII-XVIII in FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along XIX-XIX in FIG. 17;

FIGS. 20A and 20B are diagrams illustrating a modification of providingthe input panel to the steering wheel, in which FIG. 20A is a frontalview, and FIG. 20B is a cross-sectional view taken along XXB-XXB in FIG.20A;

FIG. 21 is a side view illustrating the positional relation betweendriver, display panel, and input panel, in a fourth implementation ofthe present invention;

FIG. 22 is a front view illustrating the display panel and input panelas viewed from the driver's seat;

FIG. 23 is a block diagram for describing a control system provided toan automotive display system;

FIG. 24 is a diagram describing a “navigation menu screen”, as anexample of an image displayed on the display panel;

FIGS. 25A and 25B are diagrams illustrating an image displayed on theinput panel, in which FIG. 25A is a perspective view for describing acase of the passenger viewing images displayed on each of the inputpanel and display panel, and FIG. 25B is a diagram for describing theimage as viewed from the passenger in the state illustrated in FIG. 25A;

FIG. 26 is a side view illustrating the positional relation betweendriver, display panel, and input panel, in a fifth implementation of thepresent invention;

FIG. 27 is a block diagram for describing a control system provided toan automotive control system; and

FIG. 28 is a plan view illustrating the positional relation betweendriver, display panel, and input panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION First Implementation

A first implementation of the present invention will be described basedon the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating inside of acabin of a vehicle, according to a first implementation of the presentinvention, FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the positional relationbetween driver, display panel, and input panel, FIG. 3 is a front viewillustrating the display panel and input panel as viewed from thedriver's seat, FIG. 4 is a block diagram for describing a control systemprovided to an automotive information display system, FIG. 5 is adiagram describing a “navigation menu screen”, as an example of an imagedisplayed on the display panel, and FIG. 6 is a diagram describing anavigation screen, as an example of an image displayed on the displaypanel. Also, “FR” in FIG. 1 indicates the forward direction of theautomobile, and “UP” indicates the upward direction. The terms “left”and “right” as used in the following description means left and right asto a passenger or the driver seated in the vehicle.

An automotive information display system 10 according to the presentimplementation as illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a display device 20.The display device 20 is installed within the cabin of an automobile 1or some other like vehicle. The display device 20 includes a displaypanel 30 and an input panel 40. Note that the display device 20 anddisplay panel 30 correspond to “display device for a vehicle” and“display unit” according to an aspect of the invention.

The automobile 1 includes a driver's seat 2, an instrument panel 3disposed in front of the driver's seat 2, and a steering wheel 4situated between the driver's seat 2 and the instrument panel 3. Thesteering wheel 4 is configured so as to be capable of moving verticallyby operating a tilt lever (omitted from illustration). The steeringwheel 4 corresponds to the “steering wheel” according to an aspect ofthe invention.

The display panel 30 is a so-called liquid crystal display device wherea liquid crystal panel and a backlight are formed integrally, forexample, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The display panel 30 isattached to the instrument panel 3 which is toward the front side of theautomobile from the driver's seat 2. The driver H can see various typesof images displayed on the display screen of the display panel 30through an upper space 4 a of the steering wheel 4. Note that thedisplay panel 30 is not restricted to being a liquid crystal displaydevice. Self-emitting display devices such as plasma display devices,organic EL display devices, and so forth, may be employed.

The display panel 30 can be switched to display various types of images,including images display common automobile information such as travelingspeed of the automobile 1 (speedometer) and revolutions of the engineper unit time (tachometer), and also navigation images displaying mapinformation images, and so forth.

The various types of images displayed on the display panel 30 will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5. As illustrated in FIG. 3, adisplay-panel-side operating unit 5 is provided to the instrument panel3 at the right side of where the display panel 30 is situated. Thedisplay-panel-side operating unit 5 includes a D-pad 5 a, and a menuscreen display switch 5 b which is provided to the right side of theD-pad 5 a.

The D-pad 5 a has an upper end, a lower end, a left end, and a rightend, so that pressing one of these ends enables the entire imagedisplayed on the display panel 30 to be moved. For example, if thedriver H is pressing the upper end, the image displayed on the displaypanel 30 will continue to be scrolled upwards as long as the upper endis being pressed. While the present implementation is configured suchthat the entire image displayed on the display panel 30 is moved byoperating the D-pad 5 a, a configuration may be where this is realizedby operation input at a later-described touch panel 40 a (e.g., aflicking operation).

The menu screen display switch 5 b is a pressing switch. Pressing themenu screen display switch 5 b can display a “menu display screen” suchas illustrated in FIG. 3 on the display panel 30. The “menu displayscreen” has displayed therein multiple selection images (icon images) I,such as “NAVI”, “AUDIO”, “VIDEO”, “A/C”, “RETURN”, and so forth.

The driver H can select one of the selection images I by the input panel40 to display an initial image corresponding to the function of theselected selection image I on the display panel 30, which will bedescribed in detail later. More specifically, in the event that thedriver H selects the selection image I “NAVI” from the “menu displayscreen” (see FIG. 3), a “NAVI MENU SCREEN” (see FIG. 5) capable ofmaking various settings or the like regarding the navigation function isdisplayed on the display panel 30, instead of the “menu display screen”.

In the present implementation, display screens for the “menu displayscreen” and the various functions (e.g., navigation function) aredisplayed at a relatively large size at the middle of the display panel30 in the width direction. In a state where such display screens aredisplayed, the speedometer, tachometer, and so forth are displayed onboth the right and left sides of the display screen. In cases where the“menu display screen” and the display screens for the various functionsare not displayed on the display panel 30, a general image indicatingautomobile information (speedometer, tachometer, etc.) alone aredisplayed on the display panel 30. This display (omitted fromillustration) will be referred to hereinafter as a “general displayscreen”.

Next, the input panel 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and3. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the input panel 40 includes a touchpanel 40 a capable of receiving operation input by bringing a finger orthe like into contact with or into close proximity with the operatingsurface, and a liquid crystal display panel 40 b layered on the face ofthe touch panel 40 a toward the front of the automobile. The touch panel40 a and liquid crystal display panel 40 b are both formed of atransparent material. Known arrangements may be used for each. The touchpanel 40 a above corresponds to the “operating unit” according to anaspect of the invention.

The input panel 40 has generally the same shape as the upper space 4 aof the steering wheel 4, and is fixed to the opening perimeter of theupper space 4 a. That is to say, the driver H can view the imagedisplayed on the display panel 30 via the input panel 40 in the presentimplementation. Note that the input panel 40 may be formed of asemi-transparent material instead of a transparent material. However, asmuch transparency as possible is desirable, taking into considerationease of visual recognition of the image displayed on the display panel30.

A dotted line BL is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 40 b,so the deriver H can recognize the area of the touch panel 40 a which isoperable (hereinafter referred to as “operable region”). The dotted lineBL is displayed in a size slightly larger than the size of the selectionimages I displayed on the display panel 30.

For example, in a state where a menu setting screen is displayed, on thedisplay panel 30, the dotted line BL is displayed at a positioncorresponding to the selection images I displayed in the menu settingscreen (“NAVI”, “AUDIO”, etc.), as illustrated in FIG. 3. The driver Hcan select a selection image I (e.g., “NAVI”) displayed in the menusetting screen by touching a part of the region encompassed by thedotted line BL by way of the touch panel 40 a.

Also, the dotted line BL displayed on the operable region of the touchpanel 40 a and the liquid crystal display panel 40 b is changed inaccordance (coordination) with the display image displayed on thedisplay panel 30.

For example, in a case where the driver H touches the operable region ofthe touch panel 40 a corresponding to the selection image I for “NAVI”(see FIG. 3), and a “NAVI MENU screen” is displayed on the display panel30, the liquid crystal display panel 40 b displays the dotted line BL atthe position corresponding to the selection images I displayed in the“NAVI MENU screen” (e.g., selection image I for “SET STARTING POINT ANDDESTINATION”), as illustrated in FIG. 5. The driver H can select aselection image I displayed in the “NAVI MENU screen” (e.g., selectionimage I for “SET STARTING POINT AND DESTINATION”) by touching or thelike a region encompassed by the dotted line BL by way of the touchpanel 40 a.

The dotted line BL displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 40 b(and the selectable region of the touch panel 40 a) can be moved byoperating a input-panel-side operating unit 6 provided at apredetermined position on the steering wheel 4, in the same way as withthe image displayed on the display panel 30, as illustrated in FIG. 3.The input-panel-side operating unit 6 is a D-pad switch the same as theD-pad 5 a of the display-panel-side operating unit 5, and has an upperend, a lower end, a left end, and a right end, so that pressing one ofthese ends enables the dotted line BL displayed on the liquid crystaldisplay panel 40 b (selectable region on the touch panel 40 a) to bemoved. For example, if the driver H is pressing the upper end, thedotted line BL displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 40 b willcontinue to be scrolled upwards as long as the upper end is beingpressed.

The driver H can situate the selection images I (display panel 30) inthe region encompassed by the dotted line BL (liquid crystal displaypanel 40 b) on the line-of-sight direction EL of the driver H viewingthe display panel 30. The driver H can adjust the position in this way,and then select the selection image I corresponding to this region byperforming touching or the like of the region surrounded by the dottedline BL. Such positional adjustment may be performed by moving thesteering wheel 4 vertically, or operating the D-pad 5 a of thedisplay-panel-side operating unit 5, besides operating theinput-panel-side operating unit 6. While the present implementation isconfigured such that the dotted line BL is moved by operating theinput-panel-side operating unit 6, a configuration may be where thedotted line BL is moved by operation input at the touch panel 40 a(e.g., a flicking operation), for example. Also, an arrangement may bemade wherein the position of the dotted line BL is adjusted as describedabove, and thereafter the dotted line BL is not displayed on the liquidcrystal display panel 40 b.

Next, the control system provided in the automotive information displaysystem 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. As illustrated inFIG. 4, the control system primarily includes a display control board100, the display panel 30, the input panel 40 (touch panel 40 a andliquid crystal display panel 40 b), the display-panel-side operatingunit 5 (D-pad 5 a and menu screen display switch 5 b), theinput-panel-side operating unit 6, a steering angle sensor 7 provided toa predetermined position on the automobile 1, various types of outputdevices 8 and a receiver 9, which are connected by wiring cables.

The display control board 100 is provided in the display panel 30 or thelike, and has a display control CPU 101, a display control ROM 102, anda display control RAM 103. The display control CPU 101 reads in systemprograms and the like stored in the display control ROM 102 beforehand,outputs image data to the display panel 30 and touch panel 40 a based onthe information input from the liquid crystal display panel 40 b and soforth, and also outputs operable region specifying data to the touchpanel 40 a. The display control CPU 101 also outputs audio data to thevarious types of output devices 8, such as speakers installed in theautomobile 1, as necessary at this time.

For example, if a menu screen display signal has been input by the userpressing the menu screen display switch 5 b, the display control CPU 101outputs menu screen display data to the display panel 30, and alsooutputs dotted line display data to the liquid crystal display panel 40b to display the dotted line BL. At this time, the display control CPU101 outputs operable region specifying data to the touch panel 40 a, sothat the region encompassed by the dotted line BL is an operable region.

Accordingly, the “menu display screen” is displayed on the display panel30, and also the dotted line BL is displayed at the position on theliquid crystal display panel 40 b corresponding to the selection imagesI in the menu display screen (see FIG. 3). Further, the regionencompassed by the dotted line BL is enabled as an operable region.

Also, the display control CPU 101 outputs to the liquid crystal displaypanel 40 b and touch panel 40 a a non-display signal to not display thedotted line BL and an operation disable signal to disable the enabledoperable region, respectively, based on steering angle data input fromthe steering angle sensor 7 which detects a steering angle θ of thesteering wheel 4. Specifically, if the steering angle data input fromthe steering angle sensor 7 is not within a predetermined range (e.g.,−3 degrees≦steering angle θ≦+3 degrees), the display control CPU 101determines that the steering wheel 4 is at a position where operationinput by the touch panel 40 a cannot be made, and accordingly outputsthe operation disable signal and the non-display signal to the touchpanel 40 a and liquid crystal display panel 40 b, respectively. Thus,even if the “menu display screen” such as illustrated in FIG. 3 isdisplayed on the display panel 30, for example, the dotted line BL isnot displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 40 b, and even if thedriver H touches the touch panel 40 a, the operation is invalid.

On the other hand, if operation of the steering wheel 4 brings the datainput from the steering angle sensor 7 to the above range, the displaycontrol CPU 101 outputs the operable region specifying data and dottedline display data to the touch panel 40 a and liquid crystal displaypanel 40 b, respectively. Thus, the dotted line BL is displayed at aposition on the liquid crystal display panel 40 b corresponding to theselection images I on the menu display screen, and the regionencompassed by the dotted line BL is enabled as an operable region.

The display control ROM 102 stores, in addition to system programs,various types of image data to be output to the display panel 30, dottedline display data to be output to the liquid crystal display panel 40 b,operable region specifying data for specifying an operable region on thetouch panel 40 a, and so forth. The operable region specifying data isstored in the form of coordinates data for each operable region, such asX coordinates (xa, xb) and Y coordinates (ya, yb), for example.

The display control ROM 102 stores, for example, various types of imagedata to be displayed on the display panel 30. This image data is storedin a hierarchical manner, and includes “menu screen display data” (seeFIG. 3) output in a case where a menu screen display signal has beeninput from the menu screen display switch 5 b, “NAVI MENU display data”(see FIG. 5) output when “NAVI” has been selected from the menu displayscreen, and so forth. The display control ROM 102 also stores varioustypes of determination data. The determination data includes steeringangle determination data (−3 degrees≦steering angle θ≦+3 degrees) usedto determine whether or not the steering wheel 4 is within thepredetermined range, determination data used to determine whether or notthe automobile 1 has transitioned from a stopped state to a travelingstate, determination data used to determine whether or not theautomobile 1 has transitioned from a traveling state to a stopped state,and so forth.

The display control RAM 103 temporarily stores programs to be executedby the display control CPU 101, results of computations performed by thedisplay control CPU 101, and so forth.

The receiver 9 receives data from Global Positioning System (GPS)satellites (omitted from illustration), based on which positioninformation is calculated. Control processing which is performed usingdata received from GPS satellites is known art, so details will beomitted. Stated simply, the display control CPU 101 effects control soas to calculate position information based on data received from GPSsatellites, and to display the current vehicle position and mapinformation of the surroundings on the display panel 30 (see FIG. 6).

Thus, according to the present implementation, the touch panel 40 a issituated on the line-of-sight direction EL of the driver H viewing thedisplay panel 30, and thus is configured such that the driver H canoperate the touch panel 40 a while viewing the image displayed on thedisplay panel 30. That is to say, the driver H does not have to movehis/her line of sight to operate the touch panel 40 a, so ease of visualrecognition is improved. Also, the touch panel 40 a according to thepresent implementation is attached to the steering wheel 4 which thedriver H is holding to drive the automobile 1, enabling improvement inoperability of the touch panel 40 a.

Moreover, the present implementation is configured such that the displaypanel 30 is attached to the instrument panel 3 situated to the front ofthe driver's seat 2, and the driver H views images displayed on thedisplay panel 30 through the touch panel 40 a attached to the steeringwheel 4. Thus, when the automobile 1 is in motion, the driver H can viewboth the outside ahead of the vehicle, and the display panel 30 andtouch panel 40 a, with little movement of the line-of-sight directionEL. Accordingly, the display device 20 according to the presentimplementation enables not only operability and ease of visualrecognition, but also safety to be improved.

While the input panel 40 according to the present implementation hasbeen described as being attached to the steering wheel 4, otherarrangements may be made. For example, the input panel 40 may beattached to any one of an A pillar 50 (see FIG. 1) of the automobile 1,a roof member such as a roof panel (omitted from illustration) of theautomobile 1, and interior member 51 (see FIG. 1) covering the A pillar50 and roof member from the inside of the cabin, as long as situatedalong the line-of-sight direction EL of the driver operating the inputpanel 40 so that the input panel 40 is situated in front of andoverlaying the display panel 30. In this case, the input panel 40 ispreferably positioned so as to be reachable by those seated (includingthe passenger seat and so forth besides the driver's seat 2). Note thatthe A pillar 50, a roof panel, and interior member 51 correspond to“pillar member”, “roof member”, and “interior member” herein.

Also, the input panel 40 according to the present implementation hasbeen described as being fixed to the steering wheel 4. However, theinput panel 40 may be turnably attached to the steering wheel 4 by wayof hinge members or the like. Further, the display panel 30 according tothe present implementation has been described as being attached to theinstrument panel 3. However, the display panel 30 may be attached to,for example, any one of the windshield 53, the A pillar 50 (see FIG. 1)of the automobile 1, a roof member such as a roof panel (omitted fromillustration) of the automobile 1, and interior member 51 (omitted fromillustration) covering the A pillar 50 and roof member from the insideof the cabin, as long as situated along the line-of-sight direction ELof the driver H operating the input panel 40 so that the input panel 40is situated in front of and overlaying the display panel 30. The displaypanel 30 disposed such may be turnably attached by way of hinge membersor the like.

Also, the present implementation has been described as theinput-panel-side operating unit 6 being operated to match the displayedselection images I on the display panel 30 and the operable region onthe touch panel 40 a. However, the present invention is not restrictedto this, and a configuration may be made where, for example, a detectionsensor which detects the direction of line of sight of the passenger isprovided, so as to automatically match displayed selection images I onthe display panel 30 and the operable region on the touch panel 40 awhen the detection sensor detects motion of the line of sight.

Moreover, while the present implementation has been described with thedisplay device 20 provided to an automobile 1, the display device 20 maybe provided any sort of vehicle, including trains and airplanes, forexample.

Second Implementation

The first implementation has been described as the display panel 30being provided further toward the front of the automobile from the inputpanel 40. However, a display panel may be situated toward the rear ofthe automobile from an input panel, as long as the input panel 40 issituated on the line-of-sight direction EL of the passenger viewing thedisplay panel 30.

The following is description of a case in which the display panel issituated toward the rear of the automobile from the input panel, withreference to FIGS. 7 through 11. FIG. 7 is a perspective viewillustrating inside of a cabin of a vehicle, according to a secondimplementation of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a side viewillustrating the positional relation between driver, display panel, andinput panel, FIG. 9 is a front view illustrating the display panel andinput panel as viewed from the driver's seat, FIG. 10 is a block diagramfor describing a control system provided to an automotive informationdisplay system, and FIG. 11 is a diagram describing a “navigation menuscreen”, as an example of an image displayed on the display panel. Notethat in the following description, configurations the same as those inthe first implementation described above are denoted with the samereference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

An automotive information display system 110 according to the presentimplementation includes a display device 120, as illustrated in FIG. 7.The display device 120 is installed in the cabin of an automobile 1 orlike vehicle, and includes a display panel 130 and input panel 140. Notethat the display device 120 and display panel 130 correspond to “displaydevice for a vehicle” and “display unit” according to an aspect of theinvention.

The display panel 130 is a so-called transmissive liquid crystal panel,and is attached to a roof panel (omitted from illustration) or theinterior member 51 covering the roof panel, by way of a hinge or thelike, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 through 9. The display panel 130 can bemoved between a usage position situated in front of the eyes of thedriver H, and a stored position generally parallel to the ceiling face,by being operated by the driver H.

In a state where in the display panel 130 has been moved to the usageposition, the driver H can view the input panel 140, the meter panel 3a, and the outside ahead of the automobile, through the display panel130. This display panel 130 is of the same configuration as the displaypanel 30 according to the first implementation, so description of imagesand so forth displayed on the display panel 130 will be omitted.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, an display-panel-side operating unit 106 isprovided at a predetermined position (right side) of the steering wheel4. The display-panel-side operating unit 106 includes a D-pad 106 a, anda menu screen display switch 106 b provided to the lower side of theD-pad 106 a. The D-pad 106 a has an upper end, a lower end, a left end,and a right end, so that pressing one of these ends enables the displayposition of the entire image displayed on the display panel 130 to bemoved.

The menu screen display switch 106 b is a pressing switch similar to themenu screen display switch 5 b according to the first implementationdescribed above. Pressing the menu screen display switch 106 b displaysa “menu display screen” such as illustrated in FIG. 9 on the displaypanel 130. Images displayed in the “menu display screen” are the same aswith the first implementation, so description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the input panel 140 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8and 9. As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the input panel 140 includes atouch panel 140 a capable of receiving operation input by bringing afinger or the like into contact or into close proximity, and a liquidcrystal display panel 140 b which is layered on the side of the touchpanel 140 a closer to the front of the automobile. The touch panel 140 aand liquid crystal display panel 140 b are both formed of a transparentmaterial. Known arrangements may be used for each. The touch panel 140 aabove corresponds to the “operating unit” according to an aspect of theinvention.

The input panel 140 has generally the same shape as the upper space 4 aof the steering wheel 4, and is fixed to the opening perimeter of theupper space 4 a. That is to say, in the present implementation, thedriver H can view the meter panel 3 a through the display panel 130 andthe input panel 140.

A dotted line BL is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 140 b,so the deriver H can recognize the area of the touch panel 140 a whichis operable (hereinafter referred to as “operable region”). The dottedline BL is displayed in a size slightly larger than the size of theselection images I displayed on the display panel 130. Also, the dottedline BL displayed on the operable region of the touch panel 140 a andthe liquid crystal display panel 140 b is changed in accordance(coordination) with the displayed image displayed on the display panel130.

For example, in a case where the driver H touches the operable region ofthe touch panel 140 a corresponding to the selection image I for “NAVI”(see FIG. 9), and a “NAVI MENU screen” is displayed on the display panel130, the liquid crystal display panel 140 b displays the dotted line BLat the position corresponding to the selection images I displayed in the“NAVI MENU screen” (e.g., selection image I for “SET STARTING POINT ANDDESTINATION”), as illustrated in FIG. 11. The driver H can select aselection image I displayed in the “NAVI MENU screen” (e.g., selectionimage I for “SET STARTING POINT AND DESTINATION”) by touching a regionencompassed by the dotted line BL by way of the touch panel 140 a.

The dotted line BL displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 140 b(and the selectable region of the touch panel 140 a) can be moved byoperating a input-panel-side operating unit 105 provided at apredetermined position (left side) on the steering wheel 4, asillustrated in FIG. 9. The input-panel-side operating unit 105 is aD-pad switch the same as the D-pad 106 a, and has an upper end, a lowerend, a left end, and a right end, so that pressing one of these endsenables the dotted line BL displayed on the liquid crystal display panel140 b (selectable region on the touch panel 140 a) to be moved.

The driver H can situate the region encompassed by the dotted line BL(liquid crystal display panel 40 b) so as to surround the selectionimages I (display panel 130) in the line-of-sight direction EL of thedriver H viewing the display panel 130 (see FIG. 9), by operating thedisplay-panel-side operating unit 5. The driver H can adjust theposition in this way, and then select the selection image Icorresponding to this region by performing touching or the like of theregion surrounded by the dotted line BL. This positional adjustment mayalso be performed by moving the steering wheel 4 vertically, or byoperating the D-pad 106 a of the display-panel-side operating unit 106,besides operating the input-panel-side operating unit 105. While thepresent implementation is configured such that the dotted line BL ismoved by operating the input-panel-side operating unit 105, aconfiguration may be where the dotted line BL is moved by operationinput at the touch panel 140 a (e.g., a flicking operation), forexample. Also, an arrangement may be made wherein the position of thedotted line BL is adjusted as described above, and thereafter the dottedline BL is not displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 140 b.

Next, the control system provided in the automotive information displaysystem 110 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. As illustratedin FIG. 10, the control system primarily includes a display controlboard 100′, the display panel 130, the input panel 140 (touch panel 140a and liquid crystal display panel 140 b), the input-panel-sideoperating unit 105, the display-panel-side operating unit 106 (D-pad 106a and menu screen display switch 106 b), the steering angle sensor 7,various types of output devices 8, and the receiver 9, which areconnected by wiring cables.

The display control board 100′ is provided in the display panel 130 orthe like, and has a display control CPU 101′, a display control ROM102′, and a display control RAM 103. The display control CPU 101′ readsin system programs and the like stored in the display control ROM 102′beforehand, outputs image data to the display panel 130 and liquidcrystal display panel 140 b based on the information input from thetouch panel 140 a and so forth, and also outputs operable regionspecifying data to the touch panel 140 a.

The display control ROM 102′ stores, in addition to system programs,various types of image data to be output to the display panel 130,dotted line display data to be output to the liquid crystal displaypanel 140 b, operable region specifying data for specifying an operableregion on the touch panel 140 a, and so forth. The operable regionspecifying data is stored in the form of coordinates data for eachoperable region, such as X coordinates (xa, xb) and Y coordinates (ya,yb), for example.

The display control ROM 102′ stores, for example, various types of imagedata to be displayed on the display panel 130. This image data is storedin a hierarchical manner, and includes “menu screen display data” (seeFIG. 9) output in a case where a menu screen display signal has beeninput from the menu screen display switch 106 b, “NAVI MENU displaydata” (omitted from illustration) output when “NAVI” has been selectedfrom the menu display screen, and so forth.

Thus, according to the present implementation, the touch panel 140 a issituated on the line-of-sight direction EL of the driver H viewing thedisplay panel 130, and thus is configured such that the driver H canoperate the touch panel 140 a while viewing the image displayed on thedisplay panel 130. That is to say, the driver H does not have to movehis/her line of sight to operate the touch panel 140 a, so ease ofvisual recognition is improved. Also, the touch panel 140 a according tothe present implementation is attached at a position reachable by thedriver H (the steering wheel 4), enabling improvement in operability ofthe touch panel 140 a.

Moreover, the present implementation is configured such that the displaypanel 130 is situated in front of the eyes of the driver seated in thedriver's seat 2, and the driver H views the touch panel 140 a attachedto the steering wheel 4 through the display panel 130. Thus, when theautomobile 1 is in motion, the driver H can view both the outside aheadof the vehicle, and the display panel 130 and touch panel 140 a, withlittle movement of the line-of-sight direction EL. Accordingly, thedisplay device 120 according to the present implementation enables notonly operability and ease of visual recognition, but also safety to beimproved.

While the input panel 140 according to the present implementation hasbeen described as being attached to the steering wheel 4, otherarrangements may be made. For example, the input panel 140 may beattached to either one of the A pillar 50 (see FIG. 7) of the automobile1, and a roof member such as a roof panel (omitted from illustration) ofthe automobile 1, as long as situated along the line-of-sight directionEL of the driver operating the input panel 140 so that the input panel140 further toward the front of the automobile 1 from the display panel130 so as to be overlaid by the display panel 130. Further, the inputpanel 140 may be attached to the interior member 51 (see FIG. 7)covering the A pillar 50 and roof member from the inside of the cabin(e.g., as indicated by reference numeral 40′ in FIG. 7). In this case,the input panel 140 is preferably positioned so as to be reachable bythose seated (including the passenger seat and so forth besides thedriver's seat 2). Note that the A pillar 50, a roof member, and interiormember 51 correspond to “pillar member”, “roof member”, and “interiormember” herein.

Also, the display panel 130 according to the present implementation hasbeen described as being attached to the roof panel (omitted fromillustration) of the automobile 1 or interior member 51 covering theroof panel. However, the display panel 130 may be attached to, forexample, any one of the A pillar 50 (see FIG. 7) of the automobile 1,and the interior member 51 (see FIG. 1) covering the A pillar 50 fromthe inside of the cabin, as long as situated along the line-of-sightdirection EL of the driver H operating the input panel 140 so that thedisplay panel 130 is situated further toward the rear of the automobilefrom the input panel 140 so as to overlay the input panel 140.Alternatively, the input panel 140 may be an input panel using a headmounted display (HMD) or projection to eyeglasses.

Also, the present implementation has been described as theinput-panel-side operating unit 106 or the like being operated to matchthe displayed selection images I on the display panel 130 and theoperable region on the touch panel 140 a. However, the present inventionis not restricted to this, and a configuration may be made where, in thesame way as with the modification of the first implementation, adetection sensor which detects the direction of line of sight of thepassenger is provided, so as to automatically match displayed selectionimages I on the display panel 130 and the operable region on the touchpanel 140 a when the detection sensor detects motion of the line ofsight.

Moreover, while the present implementation has been described with thedisplay device 120 provided to an automobile 1, the display device 120may be provided any sort of vehicle, including trains and airplanes, forexample.

Third Implementation

The above implementation s (first implementation and secondimplementation) have been described as the input panel (input panel 40and input panel 140) having been disposed on the steering wheel 4.However, the present invention is not restricted to this, and may besituated between the instrument panel 3 and the steering wheel 4.

Hereinafter, a case where the input panel is situated between theinstrument panel 3 and the steering wheel 4 will be described withreference to FIGS. 1, 4, and 12 through 20B. FIG. 12 is a perspectiveview illustrating inside of a cabin of a vehicle, according to the thirdimplementation of the present invention, FIG. 13 is a side viewillustrating the positional relation between driver, display panel, andinput panel, FIG. 14 is a front view illustrating the display panel andinput panel as viewed from the driver's seat, and FIG. 15 is a diagramdescribing a “navigation menu screen”, as an example of an imagedisplayed on the display panel. FIG. 16 is a side view of the inputpanel, FIG. 17 is a front view of the display panel and input panel fromthe driver's seat, with the input panel tilted down, FIG. 18 is across-sectional view taken along XVIII-XVIII in FIG. 16, FIG. 19 is across-sectional view taken along XIX-XIX in FIG. 17, and FIGS. 20A and20B are diagrams illustrating a modification of providing the inputpanel to the steering wheel, in which FIG. 20A is a frontal view, andFIG. 20B is a cross-sectional view taken along XXB-XXB in FIG. 20A. Notethat in the following description, configurations the same as those inthe implementation s described above are denoted with the same referencenumerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

An automotive information display system 220 according to the presentimplementation is installed in the cabin of the automobile 1, andincludes a display panel 230 and an input panel 240, as illustrated inFIGS. 1, 12 and 13. The display panel 230 and input panel 240 are eachseparated by a distance in the front-to-back direction of theautomobile. Note that the display device 220 and display panel 230correspond to “display device for a vehicle” and “display unit” in theSummary of the Invention.

The steering wheel 4 provided to the automobile 1 rotatably attached toa steering column 17 by way of a steering shaft (omitted fromillustration). The steering wheel 4 and steering column 17 areconfigured so as to be capable of moving vertically by operating a tiltlever (omitted from illustration).

As illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, the display panel 230 is a displaydevice such as a liquid crystal display device, in the same way as withthe display panel 230 in the first implementation described above. Thedisplay panel 30 is attached to the instrument panel 3 which is towardthe front side of the automobile from the driver's seat 2. The driver Hcan see images displayed on the display screen of the display panel 230through the upper space 4 a of the steering wheel 4.

The display panel 230 can be switched to display various types ofimages, including images display common automobile information such astraveling speed of the automobile 1 (speedometer) and revolutions of theengine per unit time (tachometer), and also navigation images displayingmap information images, and so forth, in the same way as with thedisplay panel 30 according to the first implementation.

In the same way as with the first implementation described above,various types of images displayed on the display panel 230 can be movedby pressing the D-pad 5 a with the present implementation as well, and a“menu display screen” such as illustrated in FIG. 14 can be displayed onthe display panel 230 by pressing the menu screen display switch 5 b.

The driver H can select, of the operation regions on a later-describedtouch panel 240 a (see FIG. 15), a region corresponding to a desiredselection image I1, and thus cause the display panel 230 to display aninitial image corresponding to the function of the selected selectionimage I1, which will be described in detail later. The touch panel 240 aabove corresponds to the “operating unit” in the Summary of theInvention.

Next, the input panel 240 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13,14, and 15 through 19. As illustrated in FIGS. 13, 14, and 16, the inputpanel 240 includes a touch panel 240 a capable of receiving operationinput by bringing a finger or the like into contact with or into closeproximity with the operating surface, and a liquid crystal display panel240 b which is layered on the side of the touch panel 240 a closer tothe front of the automobile. The touch panel 240 a and liquid crystaldisplay panel 240 b are both formed of a transparent material, and knownarrangements may be used for each.

The input panel 240 (touch panel 240 a and liquid crystal display panel240 b) are formed as rectangular plates in form, a pair of turningshafts 241 which protrude in opposite directions are provided to thelower left and right ends thereof, as illustrated in FIGS. 15 through17. The pair of turning shafts 241 is borne by a latter-describedsupporting member 250, whereby the input panel 240 is attached to thesteering column 17 so as to be capable of an erect position P1 erectedupwards, and a folded-down position P3 folded down toward the front ofthe automobile.

The driver H can view the display region 230 a of the display panel 230through the upper space 4 a of the steering wheel 4 and the input panel240, in a state where the input panel 240 is placed in the erectposition P1. Note that the input panel 240 may be formed of asemi-transparent material instead of a transparent material. However, asmuch transparency as possible is desirable, taking into considerationease of visual recognition of the image displayed on the display panel230.

Next, the supporting member 250 to which the input panel 240 is attachedwill be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. As illustrated inFIGS. 16 and 17, the supporting member 250 is formed of resin or thelike, and includes a steering column attachment 251, an extension 252having a rectangular cross-section shape, and an input panel receptacle253 linked to the part of the extension 252 toward the rear of theautomobile. The steering column attachment 251, extension 252, and inputpanel receptacle 253 correspond to “vehicle-mounted part attachingunit”, “extension”, and “operating unit attaching unit” herein.

The steering column attachment 251 is formed as a rectangular plate, andis fixed to a predetermined position on the steering column 17 by screwsor the like. The extension 252 is extended from a predetermined positionon the steering column attachment 251 toward the rear of the automobile.

The input panel receptacle 253 includes an input panel cover 253 a and apair of turning axis supports 253 b. The input panel cover 253 a extendsin the left-and-right direction with the supporting member 250 fixed tothe steering column 17, and the middle portion thereof in theleft-and-right direction is linked to an end of the extension 252 towardthe rear of the automobile. The input panel cover 253 a is configured soas to support the lower edge (lower end) of the input panel 240 frombelow, as well as to cover. The perimeter of the input panel cover 253 atoward the rear of the automobile is formed having an arc-shapedcross-sectional form.

Forming the input panel cover 253 a with this sort of arc-shapedcross-sectional form suppresses injury to the hand, fingers, etc., forthe driver H if coming into contact with the input panel cover 253 awhen operating the touch panel 240 a. Also, the member which suppressesinjury to the hand, fingers, etc., of the driver H (input panel cover253 a), is also used as the member to support the input panel 240, thusenabling reduction in the number of parts.

The pair of turning axis supports 253 b are provided so as to eachprotrude upwards from the left and right ends of the input panel cover253 a in a state where the supporting member 250 is fixed to thesteering column 17. The pair of turning axis support 253 b respectivelyturnably supports the pair of turning shafts 241 provided to the inputpanel 240. The input panel 240 is enabled to move between the erectposition P1 and the folded-down position P3 by the turning shafts 241being borne by the turning axis supports 253 b.

Further, a stopper mechanism 260 which can stop the input panel 240 atthe erect position P1, folded-down position P3, and a tilted position P2between the erect position P1 and the folded-down position P3, isprovided within the turning axis support 253 b. A known arrangement maybe used for the stopper mechanism 260, as long as it is capable ofrestricting rotation of the turning shaft 241. For example, the stoppermechanism 260 may be realized by fixing a gear to the perimeter of theturning shaft 241 of the input panel 240 and attaching a spring membersuch as a leaf spring or the like so as to engage the teeth of the gear.Note that if the gear and spring member (a so-called ratchet mechanism)is used as the stopper mechanism 260, the flexural strength of thespring member is preferably set relatively high, so that the input panel240 does not readily move toward the front of the automobile whenperforming operation input at the touch panel 240 a.

The input panel 240 can be moved from the erect position P1 or tiltedposition P2 to the tilted position P2 or folded-down position P3 bymoving the upper end thereof toward the front of the vehicle, and can bemoved from the folded-down position P3 or tilted position P2 to thetilted position P2 or erect position P1 by moving the upper end thereoftoward the rear of the vehicle. Note that while the input panel 240 hasbeen configured in the present implementation to stop at the threepositions of erect position P1, tilted position P2, and folded-downposition P3, an arrangement may be made to stop at other positions aswell.

Also, an input panel angle detection sensor 213 (see FIG. 4) to detectwhich of the erect position P1, tilted position P2, and folded-downposition P3 the input panel 240 is at, is provided on the innercircumference face of the turning axis support 253 b. The presentimplementation is arranged such that the display content of the displaypanel 230 and the display content of the liquid crystal display panel240 b change depending on the angle of the input panel 240 (erectposition P1, tilted position P2, folded-down position P3) detected bythe input panel angle detection sensor 213, which will be describedlater.

A cover member 270 formed of resin, rubber, or the like is attached toboth the right and left sides of the input panel 240 in the presentimplementation, as illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19. The cover member 270has a generally U-shaped cross-sectional form, and the outercircumferential face thereof is formed in a generally arc-shapedcross-sectional form. The cover member 270 formed this way can beattached to the input panel 240 by pressing the side edges of the inputpanel 240 into the inner face thereof so as to be inserted therein.

Also, the upper edge of the input panel 240 according to the presentimplementation is formed having a generally arc-shaped cross-sectionalform, in the same way as the form of the outer circumferential face ofthe cover member 270, as illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 19. Thus, the inputpanel 240 is formed with outer circumferential face of the upper edgethereof having a generally arc-shaped cross-sectional form, and the leftand right sides thereof being covered by the input panel cover 253 a andcover member 270 each having a generally arc-shaped cross-sectionalform. Accordingly, this suppresses injury to the hand, fingers, etc., ofthe driver H if coming into contact with the edge of the input panel 240when moving the input panel 240 in the front-and-rear direction of theautomobile, or operating the touch panel 240 a.

Further, light-emitting units 271 which emit light may be attached tothe perimeter of the touch panel 240 a so that the driver H can morereadily recognize the perimeter of the input panel 240, as illustratedin FIG. 15. This allows the driver H to operate the input panel 240 witha clear recognition of the perimeter of the input panel 240 even if thecabin is dark inside, further suppressing injury to the hand, fingers,etc., of the driver H.

Next, the liquid crystal display panel 240 b configuring the input panel240 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and 17. In astate where the input panel 240 is positioned in the erect position P1(see FIG. 16), and the selection image I1 is displayed on the displaypanel 230, a frame image I2 is displayed in a coordinated manner on theliquid crystal display panel 240 b at a position corresponding to theposition where the selection image I1 is displayed, as illustrated inFIG. 15. Also, the in the state that the selection image I1 and frameimage I2 are displayed on the display panel 230 and input panel 240respectively, the driver H can view the selection image I1 through theregion encompassed by the frame image I2 (hereinafter referred to as“frame image region”). The present implementation is configured suchthat the driver H can then select the selection image I1 correspondingto the frame image I2 by touching or the like of the frame image regionby way of the touch panel 240 a.

Note that the present implementation is configured such that varioustypes of images displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 240 b canbe moved by operating the input-panel-side operating unit 6, in the sameway as with the first implementation. Also, the present implementationis configured such that the contents displayed on the liquid crystaldisplay panel 240 b are changed when the input panel 240 is moved fromthe erect position P1 to the tilted position P2 (see FIG. 16).

For example, moving the input panel 240 from the erect position P1 tothe tilted position P2 (see FIG. 16) in a state where the frame image I2is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 240 b, the frame imageI2 which had been displayed at a position corresponding to the selectionimage I1 so far (see FIG. 15) is arrayed at the bottom of the liquidcrystal display panel 240 b in the horizontal direction. At this time,the selection image I1 which had been only text so far (e.g., image for“SET STARTING POINT AND DESTINATION”, see FIG. 15) is changed to aselection image I1′ of numbers and text surrounded by a frame (e.g., animage “1. SET STARTING POINT AND DESTINATION” within the frame). Eachframe image I2′ displayed at the bottom side of the liquid crystaldisplay panel 240 b is represented by a number displayed as multipleselection images I1′ (e.g., “1”) surrounded by a frame.

Only the multiple frame images I2′ are displayed on the liquid crystaldisplay panel 240 b at the bottom side thereof, so the driver H can viewthe display panel 230 through the portion of the input panel 240excluding the bottom side thereof. Also, the driver H can select theselection image I1′ (e.g., “1. SET STARTING POINT AND DESTINATION”within the frame) corresponding to the frame image I2′, by touching thenumeral portion of the frame image I2′ (e.g., “1”) by way of the touchpanel 240 a.

Also note that according to the present implementation, moving the inputpanel 240 from the tilted position P2 to the folded-down position P3(see FIG. 16), the power to the liquid crystal display panel 240 b isturned off, so nothing is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel240 b.

Next, the control system of the automobile 1 will be described withreference to FIG. 4. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the control systemprimarily includes a display control board 200, the display panel 230,input panel 240 (touch panel 240 a and liquid crystal display panel 240b), display-panel-side operating unit 5 (D-pad 5 a and menu screendisplay switch 5 b), input-panel-side operating unit 6, various types ofoutput devices 8 such as a speaker, input panel angle detection sensor213, and receiver 9, each of which are connected by wiring cables.

The display control board 200 is provided in the display panel 230 orthe like, and has a display control CPU 201, a display control ROM 202,and a display control RAM 203. When the selection image I1 “NAVI”displayed on the “menu display screen” illustrated in FIG. 14 is touchedor the like by way of the touch panel 240 a, the display control CPU 201outputs navigation menu screen display data corresponding to theposition of the input panel 240 (i.e., which of the erect position P1,the tilted position P2, and the folded-down position P3) to the displaypanel 230. On the other hand, the display control CPU 201 outputs frameimage display data to the liquid crystal display panel 240 b so as todisplay the frame image I2 or the frame image I2′. The display controlCPU 201 further outputs to the touch panel 240 a operable regionspecifying data so that the portion of the frame image region surroundedby the frame image I2 or frame image I2′ becomes an operable region.

Thus, in the state that the input panel 240 is in the erect position P1or the folded-down position P3, the “NAVI MENU display screen”illustrated in FIG. 15 is displayed on the display panel 230, while inthe state that the input panel 140 is in the tilted position P2, the“NAVI MENU display screen” illustrated in FIG. 17 is displayed. In thestate that the input panel 240 is in the erect position P1 position,frame images I2 (see FIG. 15) are displayed on the liquid crystaldisplay panel 240 b at each position corresponding to the selectionimages I1 of the “NAVI MENU display screen”. In a state where the inputpanel 240 is in the tilted position P2, multiple frame images I2′ (FIG.17) are displayed at the bottom side. Portions of the touch panel 240 awhich correspond to the frame images I2 or frame image I2′ are eachenabled as operable regions.

The display control CPU 201 determines which of the erect position P1,the tilted position P2, and the folded-down position P3 that the inputpanel 240 is at, based on the angle detected by the input panel angledetection sensor 213. The display control ROM 202 stores, in ahierarchical manner, “menu screen display data” (see FIG. 14) output ina case where a menu screen display signal has been input from the menuscreen display switch 5 b, “NAVI MENU display data” (see FIG. 15) outputwhen “NAVI” has been selected from the menu display screen, and soforth, besides system programs.

The frame image display data (frame image I2 and frame image I2′) isstored in a manner corresponding to the various types of image data tobe displayed on the display panel 230. Also, the operable regionspecifying data is stored corresponding to the frame image I2 (frameimage I2′) stored in the frame image data. The operable regionspecifying data is stored in the form of coordinates data for eachoperable region, such as X coordinates (xa, xb) and Y coordinates (ya,yb), for example.

Thus, the touch panel 240 a is situated next to the steering column 17in the present implementation, and accordingly is situated so as to beeasily reachable by the driver H. Accordingly, operability of the touchpanel 240 a can be improved.

Further, the present implementation is configured such that the driver Hcan view images displayed on the display panel 230 by way of the touchpanel 240 a attached to the steering column 17. Accordingly, when theautomobile 1 is in motion, the driver H can view both the outside aheadof the vehicle, and the display panel 230 and touch panel 240 a, withlittle movement of the line-of-sight direction EL therebetween.Accordingly, the display device 220 according to the presentimplementation enables not only operability and ease of visualrecognition, but also safety to be improved.

Also, the input panel 240 according to the present implementation hasthe perimeter of the upper edge formed in an arc-shaped cross-sectionalform, and is covered by the input panel cover 253 a and the cover member270 which have the lower edge and left and right sides each formed in anarc-shaped cross-sectional form. Thus, according to the presentimplementation, this suppresses injury to the hand, fingers, etc., forthe driver H even if coming into contact with the edge of the inputpanel 240 when performing operation input of the touch panel 240 a.

Further, unlike the other edges, the upper edge of the input panel 240(touch panel 240 a and liquid crystal display panel 240 b) is notcovered by the input panel cover 253 a or cover member 270. Accordingly,the input panel 240 according to the present implementation can have adisplay region for displaying the various images on the liquid crystaldisplay panel 240 b to close to the upper edge. This region can alsoserve as operable regions for the passenger to operate the touch panel240 a.

The input panel 240 according to the present implementation isconfigured so as to enable operation input by the touch panel 240 a notonly in the state of the erect position P1 but also in the state of thetilted position P2. Accordingly, the driver H can move the input panel240 to a position where operation is easy (one of erect position P1 andtilted position P2) so as to operate the touch panel 240 a. Further, inthe event that the driver H is not going to operate the touch panel 240a, the input panel 240 can be moved to the folded-down position P3.Thus, visual recognition of the display panel 230 when not using thetouch panel 240 a can be improved, and also the interior of theautomobile can be made to be neater.

Further, the display panel 230 and input panel 240 (touch panel 240 a)according to the present implementation are each disposed at theinstrument panel 3 which is further toward the front of the vehicle ascompared to the steering wheel 4, and the steering column 17,respectively. Accordingly, this arrangement does not impede withoperation of the steering wheel 4, nor does it prevent an airbag fromdeploying in the case of collision or the like of the automobile 1 (seeFIGS. 13 and 14).

Also, the input panel 240 (touch panel 240 a) according to the presentimplementation is attached to the steering column 17 by way of thesupporting member 250 (extension 252) extending in a direction oppositeto the operating direction of the touch panel 240 a (forward directionof the automobile), i.e., in the direction toward the rear of theautomobile. In such a configuration, the operating direction of thetouch panel 240 a (forward direction of the automobile) and theextending direction of the extension 252 (rear direction of theautomobile) are opposite directions, so pressing force toward the frontof the vehicle by pressing the touch panel 240 a is suitably received bythe supporting member 250. Accordingly, damage and deformation of thesupporting member 250 can be suppressed even without excessively raisingthe strength of the supporting member 250.

The input panel 240 according to the present implementation has theperimeter of the upper edge formed in an arc-shaped cross-sectionalform, and is covered by the input panel cover 253 a and the cover member270 which have the lower edge and left and right sides each formed in anarc-shaped cross-sectional form. However, if at least part of theperimeter of the input panel 240 externally exposed is formed in anarc-shaped cross-sectional form, or the cover member 270 is attached,the following arrangements may be made. One example is forming allexternally exposed parts of the input panel 240 an arc-shapedcross-sectional form, and not providing the cover member 270. A secondexample is to attach the cover member 270 to the entire exposed partwithout forming the edge in an arc-shaped cross-sectional form. A thirdexample is to provide the cover member 270 to, or form in an arc-shapedcross-sectional form, only exposed parts where the passenger is likelyto touch.

Also, the input panel 240 according to the present implementation hasbeen described as being movable between the erect position P1 and thefolded-down position P3, but an arrangement may be made where the inputpanel 240 is fixed at the erect position P1 and is immovable.

Further, the input panel 240 according to the present implementation hasbeen described as being attached to the steering column 17, which is anexample of a vehicle-mounted part, by way of the supporting member 250,but the input panel 240 may be directly attached to the vehicle-mountedpart. In this case, the input pane 240 may be movable relative to thevehicle-mounted part to the erect position P1, tilted position P2, andfolded-down position P3, or may be fixed immovably at the erect positionP1.

Also, description has been made with the present implementation wherethe display panel 230 and input panel 240 are attached to the instrumentpanel 3 and the steering column 17 respectively. However, as long as thetouch panel 240 a is situated on the line-of-sight direction EL of thepassenger viewing the display panel 230, a display panel 230′ may beprovided, for example, at the middle of the instrument panel 3 in thewidth direction, and an input panel 240′ provided via a supportingmember 250′ attached to the instrument panel 3, as illustrated in FIG.12. In this case, at least part of the externally exposed peripheraledge of the input panel 240′ is preferably formed in an arc-shapedcross-sectional form, or covered by the cover member 270.

Further, an arrangement may be made where the attachment position of thedisplay panel 230 is unchanged but just the input panel is attached tothe steering wheel 4. This configuration can be realized by attaching agenerally half-circle shaped input panel 240′ (touch panel 240 a′ andliquid crystal display panel 240 b′) to the lower opening perimeter edgeof the upper space 4 a, either directly or by hinges (supportingmember), as illustrated in FIGS. 20A and 20B. It is sufficient in thiscase for a generally U-shaped opening S through which the hand of thedriver H can be passed, to be formed between the steering wheel 4 andthe input panel 240′. In this case, at least part of the externallyexposed peripheral edge of the input panel 240′ is preferably formed inan arc-shaped cross-sectional form, or covered by the cover member 270,as described above. This enables injury to the hands, fingers, etc., ofthe driver H to be suppressed when operating the steering wheel 4,besides when operating the touch panel 240 a.

While the present implementation has been described as the display panel230 being provided further toward the front of the automobile ascompared to the touch panel 240 a, an arrangement may be made where thedisplay panel is situated further toward the rear of the automobile ascompared to the touch panel 240 a, in the same way as with theabove-described second implementation, as long as the touch panel 240 ais situated on the line-of-sight direction EL of the passenger, and alsosituated between the instrument panel 3 and the steering wheel 4 (seeFIG. 12). In this example, a display panel 230A is provided hanging downfrom the ceiling of the cabin in front of the eyes of the driver H. Thisconfiguration does not impede operation of the steering wheel 4, andoperability, ease of visual recognition, and safety can be improved. Inthe case of this attaching the display panel 230A to this position, atleast part of the externally exposed peripheral edge is preferablyformed in an arc-shaped cross-sectional form, or covered by a membersimilar to the cover member 270, as described above. Further, in a caseof disposing the display panel 230A at the position illustrated in FIG.12, the display panel 230A is preferably attached to the ceiling memberin a turnable manner. The reason is that in the case of collision or thelike of the automobile 1, the display panel 230A will come into contactwith the airbag or the driver H and turn, and accordingly the airbag isnot impeded from deploying.

Fourth Implementation

Generally, if an observer (passenger) has focused on an object to beobserved at the far side, and in this state views an object to theobserved at the near side at the same time, binocular disparity causesthe object to be observed at the near side to appear in double orblurred.

A modification of the above implementation s (a fourth implementation)conceived to deal with this problem will be described with reference toFIGS. 1 and 21 through 25B. FIG. 21 is a side view illustrating thepositional relation between driver, display panel, and input panel, in afourth implementation of the present invention, FIG. 22 is a front viewillustrating the display panel and input panel as viewed from thedriver's seat, FIG. 23 is a block diagram for describing a controlsystem provided to an automotive information display system, and FIG. 24is a diagram describing a “navigation menu screen”, as an example of animage displayed on the display panel, FIGS. 25A and 25B are diagramsillustrating an image displayed on the input panel, in which FIG. 25A isa perspective view for describing a case of the passenger viewing imagesdisplayed on each of the input panel and display panel, and FIG. 25B isa diagram for describing the image as viewed from the passenger in thestate illustrated in FIG. 25A. Note that in the following description,configurations the same as those in the implementation s described aboveare denoted with the same reference numerals, and description thereofwill be omitted.

A display device 310 according to the present implementation has adisplay panel 330 and input panel 340, in the same way as with the firstimplementation described above, as illustrated in FIG. 21. Note that thedisplay device 310 and the display panel 330 correspond to “displaydevice for a vehicle” and “first display unit” according to an aspect ofthe invention.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 21, and 22, the display panel 330 is adisplay device such as a liquid crystal display device, and is attachedto the instrument panel 3 which is toward the front side of theautomobile from the driver's seat 2, in the same way as the displaypanel 30 according to the first implementation. The driver H can seeimages displayed on the display screen of the display panel 330 throughthe upper space 4 a of the steering wheel 4. In the presentimplementation, images displayed on the display panel 330 can be movedby operating the D-pad 5 a, and a “menu display screen” such asillustrated in FIG. 24 can be displayed on the display panel 330 bypressing the menu screen display switch 5 b, in the same way as with thefirst implementation.

Next, the input panel 340 will be described with reference to FIGS. 21,22, and 24 through 25B. As illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22, the inputpanel 340 includes a touch panel 340 a, and a liquid crystal displaypanel 340 b which is layered on the side of the touch panel 340 a closerto the front of the automobile, in the same way as with the input panel40 according to the first implementation. The touch panel 340 a andliquid crystal display panel 340 b are both formed of a transparentmaterial. Known arrangements may be used for each. The liquid crystaldisplay panel 340 b above corresponds to the “second display unit” inthe Summary of the Invention.

The input panel 340 has generally the same shape as the upper space 4 aof the steering wheel 4, and is fixed to the opening perimeter of theupper space 4 a. That is to say, in the present implementation, thedriver H can view the image displayed on the display panel 330 via theinput panel 340.

When selection images I1 are displayed on the display panel 330, a frameimage I2 having the shape of a frame is displayed on the liquid crystaldisplay panel 340 b at a position corresponding to the selection imagesI1 in a coordinated manner. Also, in a state where the selection imagesI1 and frame image I2 are displayed on the display panel 330 and inputpanel 340, the driver H can view the selection images I1 through theregion encompassed by the frame image I2 (frame image region).

The frame image I2 displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 340 bwill be described with reference to FIGS. 21, and 25A and 25B. Theliquid crystal display panel 340 b according to the presentimplementation is configured to display a selection image I1 (e.g., atext image “MENU”) on the display panel 330 such that two images, lefteye LE frame image I2-1 and right eye RE frame image I2-2, which are thesame image both shifted in the left and right directions by apredetermined amount, as illustrated in FIG. 25A. The left eye LE frameimage I2-1 and right eye RE frame image I2-2 can be respectivelydisplayed on the line-of-sight direction EL of the left eye LE and theline-of-sight direction EL of the right eye RE, in a state where thedriver H is focused on a particular selection image I1 displayed on thedisplay panel 330.

Now, if the driver H views a particular selection image I1 (e.g., thetext image “MENU”) in a state where the frame image I2-1 and frame imageI2-2 are respectively displayed on the line-of-sight direction EL of theleft eye LE and the line-of-sight direction EL of the right eye RE, theframe image I2-1 and frame image I2-2 are naturally imaged asillustrated in FIG. 25B. Thus, the driver H sees this as one frame imageI2 being situated (in a three-dimensional manner) around the particularselection image I1.

The present implementation is configured such that the driver H canselect the selection image I1 corresponding to the frame image I2 bytouching or the like the frame image region of the frame image I2 by wayof the touch panel 340 a (see FIG. 25A). For example, upon the driver Htouching or the like the frame image region of either one of the frameimage I2-1 and frame image I2-2 illustrated in FIG. 25A by way of thetouch panel 340 a (see FIG. 25A), the selection image I1 “MENU” isselected. Thus the display of the display panel 330 switches to the“menu display screen” (see FIG. 22). Note that the presentimplementation is configured such that when the content displayed on thedisplay panel 330 changes, the frame image I2 displayed on the liquidcrystal display panel 340 b also changes in a coordinated manner.

The liquid crystal display panel 340 b is configured to display varioustypes of images besides the frame image I2 as described above. Forexample, in the “NAVI MENU screen” illustrated in FIG. 24, in additionto the frame image I2 an image (text image) I3 “NAVI MENU” is displayedso as to be superimposed on the selection image I1 displayed on thedisplay panel 330. This sort of image I3 is transparently displayed, soas to avoid impeding with the ease of visual recognition of theselection image I1 as much as possible.

This configuration according to the present implementation where theselection image I1 and image I3 are displayed separately on the displaypanel 330 and liquid crystal display panel 340 b allows the multipleselection images I1 to be displayed over the entire display screen areaof the display panel 330. That is to say, the display size of theselection image I1 can be displayed larger than in the presentimplementation as compared to a case of displaying the image I3 on thesame screen at the same time. Note that the image I3 displayed on theliquid crystal display panel 340 b is not restricted to text, and may beshapes or the like. Moreover, the image I3 may also be displayed as aright eye image and a left eye image, in the same way as the frame imageI2.

The frame image I2-1 and frame image I2-2 displayed on the liquidcrystal display panel 340 b as illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25A can bemoved by operating a left-eye D-pad 306 a and right eye D-pad 306 bprovided to the steering wheel 4 in a manner distanced from one anotherin the horizontal direction. The left-eye D-pad 306 a and the right eyeD-pad 306 b are each cross-shaped switches similar to the D-pad 5 a ofthe display-panel-side operating unit 5. The driver H can move the frameimage I2-1 displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 340 b bypressing any one of the upper end, lower end, left end, and right end ofthe left-eye D-pad 306 a. The driver H can move the frame image I2-2using the right eye D-pad 306 b in the same way. If the driver Hcontinues to press the left end of the left-eye D-pad 306 a (right eyeD-pad 306 b), the frame image I2-1 (frame image I2-2) displayed on theliquid crystal display panel 240 b continues to be scrolled to the leftas long as the driver H is pressing. While the present implementation isconfigured so that the frame image I2-1 (frame image I2-2) can be movedby operating the left-eye D-pad 306 a (right eye D-pad 306 b), anarrangement may be made where the frame image I2-1 (frame image I2-2) ismoved by operation input to the touch panel 340 a (e.g., a flickingoperation).

While the driver H can situate the frame image I2 (frame image I2-1 andframe image I2-2) around the selection image I1 displayed on the displaypanel 330 by operating the left-eye D-pad 306 a and right eye D-pad 306b (see FIG. 25A), such positional adjustment may be performed byvertically moving the steering wheel 4, or performing operation from theD-pad 5 a of the display-panel-side operating unit 5, besides operationby the left-eye D-pad 306 a and right eye D-pad 306 b.

Next, the control system provided in the automobile 1 will be describedwith reference to FIG. 23. As illustrated in FIG. 23, the control systemprimarily includes a display control board 300, the display panel 330,the input panel 340 (touch panel 340 a and liquid crystal display panel340 b), the display-panel-side operating unit 5 (D-pad 5 a and menuscreen display switch 5 b), the left-eye D-pad 306 a and right eye D-pad306 b, the steering angle sensor 7, various types of output devices 8such as a speaker, and a receiver 9, which are connected by wiringcables.

The display control board 300 is provided in the display panel 330 orthe like, and has a display control CPU 301, a display control ROM 302,and a display control RAM 303. The display control CPU 301 correspondsto the “control unit” in the Summary of the Invention.

In a case where a menu screen image display signal is input by pressingof the menu screen display switch 5 b for example, the display controlCPU 301 outputs menu screen display data to the display panel 330. Onthe other hand, the display control CPU 301 outputs to the liquidcrystal display panel 340 b frame image display data to display theframe image I2-1 and frame image I2-2 and text image data to display theimage I3. Further, the display control CPU 301 outputs to the touchpanel 340 a operable region specifying data so that the partcorresponding to the frame image region of the frame image I2-1 and thepart corresponding to the frame image region of the frame image I2-2each become operable regions (see FIG. 25A). This, the “menu displayscreen” is displayed on the display panel 330, the frame image I2-1 andframe image I2-2 are displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 340 bat positions corresponding to each selection image I1 in the “menudisplay screen”, and also the image I3 is displayed. Further, the partof the liquid crystal display panel 340 b corresponding to the frameimage region of the frame image I2-1 and the part corresponding to theframe image region of the frame image I2-2 each are enabled as operableregions.

In the same way as with the display control CPU 101 according to thefirst implementation described above, the display control CPU 301outputs to the liquid crystal display panel 340 b and touch panel 340 aa non-display signal to not display the frame image I2 (frame image I2-1and frame image I2-2) (see FIG. 25A), and an operation disable signal todisable the enabled operable regions, respectively, based on steeringangle data input from the steering angle sensor 7 which detects asteering angle θ of the steering wheel 4.

The display control ROM 302 stores, in addition to system programs,various types of image data to be output to the display panel 330, frameimage display data and text image data to be output to the liquidcrystal display panel 340 b, and operable region specifying data forspecifying operable regions on the touch panel 340 a. The frame imagedisplay data and text image data are stored in a manner corresponding tothe various types of image data displayed on the display panel 330.Also, the operable region specifying data is stored corresponding to theframe image I2-1 and frame image I2-2 stored in the frame image displaydata. This operable region specifying data is stored in the form ofcoordinates data for each operable region, such as X coordinates (xa,xb) and Y coordinates (ya, yb), for example.

The display control RAM 303 is provided with a first display panel imagedisplay position storage region, a left eye image display positionstorage region, and a right eye image display position storage region.The first display panel image display position storage region is aregion storing data which is changed by the display position of an imagedisplayed on the display panel 330 having been changed by the D-pad 5 abeing operated. The left eye image display position storage region is aregion storing data which is changed by the display position of a lefteye image (frame image I2-1) having been changed by the left-eye D-pad306 a being operated. The right eye image display position storageregion is a region storing data which is changed by the display positionof a right eye image (frame image I2-2) having been changed by the righteye D-pad 306 b being operated. Such changed data is overwritten andstored each time the position of the image is changed. Images displayedon the display panel 330 and liquid crystal display panel 340 b aredisplayed based on data stored in the storage regions. The operableregion of the touch panel 340 a is changed in accordance with change inthe display positions of the frame image I2-1 and frame image I2-2.

Thus, according to the present implementation, this configurationaccording to the present implementation where the selection image I1 andimage I3 are displayed separately on the display panel 330 and liquidcrystal display panel 340 b allows the multiple selection images I1 tobe displayed over the entire display screen area of the display panel330, in the same way as the above-described implementation. That is tosay, the display size of the selection image I1 can be displayed largerthan in the present implementation as compared to a case of displaying aselection image I1 and image I3 on the same screen at the same time.Moreover, the present implementation is configured such that theselection images I1 displayed on the display panel 330 can be viewed viathe frame images I2 displayed on the input panel 340, so both theselection images I1 and frame images I2 can be viewed at the same timewithout hardly moving the line-of-sight direction EL at all.

Further, the present implementation is configured such that a frameimage I2-1 (left eye image) and a frame image I2-2 (right eye image) aredisplayed on the input panel 340 as a binocular disparity image. Thisprevents the frame image I2 displayed on the liquid crystal displaypanel 340 b of the input panel 340 from appearing in double whenfocusing on a particular selection image I1 displayed on the displaypanel 330. Thus, according to the present implementation, the driver Hcan view multiple images of which the display sizes are large (e.g.,selection image I1 and image I3) at the same time without moving theline-of-sight direction EL, and can also clearly view images (frameimages I2) displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 340 b.

The present implementation has been described as a configuration wherethe frame image I2-1 and frame image I2-2 are operated by the left-eyeD-pad 306 a and right eye D-pad 306 b respectively, so as to be situatedon the line-of-sight direction EL of the left eye ELLE and theline-of-sight direction EL of the right eye RE when focusing on aparticular selection image I1. Other arrangements may be made as well,such as, for example, an arrangement where a camera 54 which detects theposition of the eyes (right eye and left eye) of the driver H isattached to a predetermined position of the instrument panel 3 (see FIG.22). The frame image I2-1 and frame image I2-2 are then automaticallymoved based on the positions of the eyes of the driver H imaged by thiscamera 54, so as to be situated on the line-of-sight direction EL of theleft eye ELLE and the line-of-sight direction EL of the right eye RE.Another exemplary arrangement is to provide a sensor which detects theposition of the driver's seat 2, instead of the camera 54. In this case,the positions of the eyes of the driver H are estimated based on theseat position detected by the sensor, and the frame image I2-1 and frameimage I2-2 are automatically moved based on the estimated positions, soas to be situated on the line-of-sight direction EL of the left eye ELLEand the line-of-sight direction EL of the right eye RE. Note that thecamera 54 and so forth described above correspond to “detecting unit”herein.

Also, the present implementation has been described as the touch panel340 a serving as an operating unit being provided at the input panel 340side, but the touch panel 340 a may be provided to the display panel 330side instead.

Fifth Implementation

A fifth implementation, which is a modification of the fourthimplementation, will be described with reference to FIGS. 22, 24, and 26through 28. FIG. 26 is a side view illustrating the positional relationbetween driver, display panel, and input panel, in the fifthimplementation of the present invention, FIG. 27 is a block diagram fordescribing a control system provided to an automotive control system,and FIG. 28 is a plan view illustrating the positional relation betweendriver, display panel, and input panel. Note that in the followingdescription, configurations the same as those in the implementationsdescribed above are denoted with the same reference numerals, anddescription thereof will be omitted.

An automotive display device 410 according to the present implementationis installed in the cabin of the automobile 1, and has a display panel430 and input panel 440, as illustrated in FIGS. 22 and 26. The displaypanel 430 and input panel 440 are situated distanced from each other inthe front-to-back direction of the automobile. Note that the displaydevice 410 and the display panel 430 correspond to “display device for avehicle” and “first display unit” in the Summary of the Invention.

As illustrated in FIGS. 22, 24, and 26, the display panel 430 is adisplay device such as a liquid crystal display device, and is attachedto the instrument panel 3 which is toward the front side of theautomobile from the driver's seat 2, in the same way as the displaypanel 330 according to the fourth implementation. The driver H can seeimages displayed on the display screen of the display panel 430 throughthe upper space 4 a of the steering wheel 4. In the presentimplementation, images displayed on the display panel 430 can be movedby operating the D-pad 5 a, and a “menu display screen” such asillustrated in FIG. 24 can be displayed on the display panel 430 bypressing the menu screen display switch 5 b, in the same way as with thefourth implementation.

Next, the input panel 440 will be described with reference to FIGS. 22,24, and 26 through 28. As illustrated in FIGS. 22 and 26, the inputpanel 440 includes a touch panel 440 a capable of receiving operationinput by bringing a finger or the like into contact with or into closeproximity with the operating surface, a liquid crystal display panel 440b which is layered on the side of the touch panel 440 a closer to thefront of the automobile, and a louver filter 440 c which is layered onthe side of the touch panel 440 a closer to the rear of the automobile.The touch panel 440 a and liquid crystal display panel 440 b are bothformed of a transparent material, and known arrangements may be used foreach. The louver filter 440 c is also formed of a transparent material,in the same way as with the touch panel 440 a and liquid crystal displaypanel 440 b. Note that the liquid crystal display panel 440 b and louverfilter 440 c above correspond to “second display unit” and “opticalfilter” in the Summary of the Invention.

The input panel 440 has generally the same shape as the upper space 4 aof the steering wheel 4, and is fixed to the opening perimeter of theupper space 4 a. When selection images I1 are displayed on the displaypanel 430, a frame image I2 having the shape of a frame is displayed onthe liquid crystal display panel 440 b at a position corresponding tothe selection images I1 in a coordinated manner. Also, in a state wherethe selection images I1 and frame image I2 are displayed on the displaypanel 430 and input panel 440, the driver H can view the selectionimages I1 through the region encompassed by the frame image I2 (frameimage region). The present implementation is configured such that thedriver H can select the selection image I1 corresponding to the frameimage I2 by touching or the like the frame image region of the frameimage I2 by way of the touch panel 440 a.

Next, the louver filter 440 c will be described with reference to FIG.28. Note that the term “angle” as used in the following descriptionmeans, of angles formed between incident light traveling from the reartoward the front of the automobile and the plane of the louver filter440 c toward the rear of the automobile, the angle toward the left sidein planar view. The louver filter 440 c is formed of a resin such aspolyethylene terephthalate (PET) for example, and includes multiplelouver leaves 441 within, as illustrated in FIG. 28.

The louver leaves 441 include deflecting faces (reflecting faces)slanted towards the left rear side of the automobile, and are arrayed atpredetermined intervals in the left-right direction. The louver leaves441 are arranged such that incident light traveling from the rear towardthe front of the automobile is transmitted as long as the angle θ as tothe louver filter 440 c does not exceed a predetermined angle (e.g., 75degrees). Light exceeding this predetermined angle is reflected.

In a case where this predetermined angle is set to 75 degrees forexample, an angle θ1 where the line-of-sight direction EL of the lefteye LE and the louver filter 440 c cross when viewing the input panel440 with the left eye LE does not readily exceed the predeterminedangle. Accordingly, the left eye LE can readily easily view the imagesdisplayed on the liquid crystal display panel 440 b (frame image I2 andimage I3) and the images displayed on the display panel 430 (selectionimages I1) through the louver filter 440 c.

On the other hand, in a case where this predetermined angle is set to 75degrees as described above, an angle θ2 where the line-of-sightdirection EL of the right eye RE and the louver filter 440 c cross whenviewing the input panel 440 with the right eye RE readily exceeds thepredetermined angle. Accordingly, the line-of-sight direction EL of theright eye RE is changed (reflected) by the louver filter 440 c, so theimages displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 440 b (frame imageI2 and image I3) and the images displayed on the display panel 430(selection images I1) are not readily viewed through the louver filter440 c.

While the present implementation has been configured such that theimages displayed on the display panel 430 and the images displayed onthe liquid crystal display panel 440 b are more readily viewed whenviewing the input panel 440 with the left eye LE as compared to whenviewing the input panel 440 with the right eye RE, the oppositearrangement may be used instead. Also, while the predetermined angle hasbeen set to 75 degrees in the present implementation, this angle may bechanged as appropriate, as long as one eye cannot readily view theimages displayed on the display panel 430 and liquid crystal displaypanel 440 b, or not at all.

The present implementation is configured so that the frame image I2displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 440 b can be moved byoperating an input-panel-side operating unit 406 provided at apredetermined position on the steering wheel 4, as illustrated in FIG.24. This input-panel-side operating unit 406 is a cross-shaped switchsimilar to the D-pad 5 a. The driver H can move the frame image I2displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 440 b by pressing any oneof the upper end, lower end, left end, and right end. The driver H canthus situate the frame image I2 on the line-of-sight direction EL of theleft eye LE viewing the selection image I1 by operating theinput-panel-side operating unit 406 (see FIG. 28). Once this positionadjustment is performed, in the present implementation, subsequentdisplay of the frame image I2 and image I3 is performed based on thechanged position.

Next, the control system provided in the automobile 1 will be describedwith reference to FIG. 27. As illustrated in FIG. 27, the control systemprimarily includes a display control board 400, the display panel 430,the input panel 440 (touch panel 440 a and liquid crystal display panel440 b), the display-panel-side operating unit 5 (D-pad 5 a and menuscreen display switch 5 b), the input-panel-side operating unit 406, thesteering angle sensor 7, various types of output devices 8 such as aspeaker and the like, and a receiver 9, which are connected by wiringcables.

The display control board 400 is provided in the display panel 430 orthe like, and has a display control CPU 401, a display control ROM 402,and a display control RAM 403. The display control CPU 401 reads in asystem program and so forth stored in the display control ROM 402beforehand, and based on information input from the touch panel 440 aand the like, outputs image data to the display panel 430 and liquidcrystal display panel 440 b, and also outputs operable region specifyingdata to the touch panel 440 a.

In a case where a menu image display signal is input by pressing of themenu screen display switch 5 b for example, the display control CPU 401outputs menu screen display data to the display panel 430. On the otherhand, the display control CPU 401 outputs to the liquid crystal displaypanel 440 b frame image display data to display the frame image I2, andtext image data to display the image I3.

The display control ROM 402 stores, in addition to system programs,various types of image data to be output to the display panel 430, frameimage display data and text image data to be output to the liquidcrystal display panel 440 b, and operable region specifying data forspecifying operable regions on the touch panel 440 a. The frame imagedisplay data and text image data are stored in a manner corresponding tothe various types of image data displayed on the display panel 430.Also, the operable region specifying data is stored corresponding to theframe image I2 stored in the frame image display data. This operableregion specifying data is stored in the form of coordinates data foreach operable region, such as X coordinates (xa, xb) and Y coordinates(ya, yb), for example.

The display control RAM 403 is provided with a first display panel imagedisplay position storage region, and a second display panel imagedisplay position storage region. The first display panel image displayposition storage region is a region storing data which is changed by thedisplay position of an image displayed on the display panel 430 havingbeen changed by the D-pad 5 a being operated. The second display panelimage display position storage region is a region storing data which ischanged by the display position of the frame image I2 and image I3having been changed by the input-panel-side operating unit 406 beingoperated. Such changed data is overwritten and stored each time theposition of the image is changed. Images displayed on the display panel430 and liquid crystal display panel 440 b are displayed based on datastored in the storage regions. The operable region of the touch panel440 a is changed in accordance with change in the display position ofthe frame image I2.

Thus, according to the present implementation, the louver filter 440 cwhich enables light on the line-of-sight direction EL of the left eye LEof the driver H viewing the display panel 430 to be transmitted, whiletransmitting little or no light on the line-of-sight direction EL of theright eye RE of the driver H, is layered on the face of the liquidcrystal display panel 440 b toward the rear of the automobile. Thus, asituation where the frame image I2 and image I3 displayed on the liquidcrystal display panel 440 b appear in double to the diver H viewingimages displayed on the display panel 430 at the near side can beprevented.

Accordingly, according to the present implementation, the driver H canview multiple images of which the display sizes are large (e.g.,selection image I1 and image I3) at the same time without moving theline-of-sight direction EL, and can also clearly view images (frameimage I2 and image I3) displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 440b. While the touch panel 440 a serving as an operating unit is providedat the input panel 440 in the present implementation, the touch panel440 a may be provided at the display panel 430 instead.

Implementations of the invention made by the present inventor have beendescribed above, but the description and drawings which constitute apart of this disclosure are not intended to restrict the presentinvention. It is needless to say that all other implementations,exemplary implementations, operational technology, and so forth, are allencompassed by the scope of the present invention.

1. A display device for a vehicle comprising: an operating unit thatreceives an operation input from a passenger; and a display unit thatdisplays various types of information based on the operation input fromthe operating unit; wherein the operating unit and the display unit aredisposed separated from each other; and wherein the operating unit issituated between the eyes of the passenger performing the operationinput and the display unit, and situated at a position overlaying thedisplay unit in the line of sight of the passenger performing operationinput.
 2. A display device for a vehicle comprising: an operating unitconfigured to receive operation input from a passenger; and a displayunit configured to display various types of information based on theoperation input from the operating unit; wherein the operating unit andthe display unit are disposed separated from each other; and wherein thedisplay unit is situated between the eyes of the passenger performingthe operation input and the operating unit, and situated at a positionoverlaying the operating unit in the line of sight of the passengerperforming operation input.
 3. The display device for a vehicleaccording to claim 1, wherein the operating unit is formed of atransparent or semi-transparent material.
 4. The display device for avehicle according to claim 2, wherein the display unit is formed of atransparent or semi-transparent material.
 5. The display device for avehicle according to claim 1, wherein the operating unit is a touchpanel including an operating surface, to detect whether the operationinput has been performed as to the operating surface by touching orcoming into proximity.
 6. The display device for a vehicle according toclaim 2, wherein the operating unit is a touch panel including anoperating surface, to detect whether the operation input has beenperformed as to the operating surface by touching or coming intoproximity.
 7. The display device for a vehicle according to claim 1,wherein the operating unit is situated within a range reachable by apassenger seated in a seat.
 8. The display device for a vehicleaccording to claim 2, wherein the operating unit is situated within arange reachable by a passenger seated in a seat.
 9. The display devicefor a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the operating unit isattached to a steering wheel situated in front of a driver's seat. 10.The display device for a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein theoperating unit is attached to a steering wheel situated in front of adriver's seat.
 11. The display device for a vehicle according to claim1, wherein the operating unit is attached to any one of a pillar memberprovided in front of the driver's seat, a roof member connected to theupper end side of the pillar, and an interior member covering at leastone of the pillar member and the roof member from the inner side of thevehicle cabin, the members being used to configure a vehicle body. 12.The display device for a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein theoperating unit is attached to any one of a pillar member provided infront of the driver's seat, a roof member connected to the upper endside of the pillar, and an interior member covering at least one of thepillar member and the roof member from the inner side of the vehiclecabin, the members being used to configure a vehicle body.
 13. Thedisplay device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the operatingunit has at least a part of the outer perimeter thereof which is coveredby a cover member having an arc-shaped cross-sectional shape or isformed into an arc-shaped cross-sectional shape.
 14. The display devicefor a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the operating unit has atleast a part of the outer perimeter thereof which is covered by a covermember having an arc-shaped cross-sectional shape or is formed into anarc-shaped cross-sectional shape.
 15. The display device for a vehicleaccording to claim 13, wherein the operating unit is attached to avehicle-mounted part via the cover member.
 16. The display device for avehicle according to claim 14, wherein the operating unit is attached toa vehicle-mounted part via the cover member.
 17. The display device fora vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the operating unit is disposedbetween an instrument panel situated toward the front of the driver'sseat, and a steering wheel, the instrument panel and the steering wheelbeing used to configure a vehicle body.
 18. The display device for avehicle according to claim 2, wherein the operating unit is disposedbetween an instrument panel situated toward the front of the driver'sseat, and a steering wheel, the instrument panel and the steering wheelbeing used to configure a vehicle body.
 19. The display device for avehicle according to claim 17, wherein the operating unit is attached toeither one of a steering column which rotatably supports a steeringshaft to which the steering wheel is attached, and the instrument panel,the steering column and the instrument panel being vehicle-mountedparts.
 20. The display device for a vehicle according to claim 18,wherein the operating unit is attached to either one of a steeringcolumn which rotatably supports a steering shaft to which the steeringwheel is attached, and the instrument panel, the steering column and theinstrument panel being vehicle-mounted parts.
 21. The display device fora vehicle according to claim 17, wherein the operating unit is attachedto a vehicle-mounted part by way of a supporting member; and wherein thesupporting member includes an extension extending in generally the samedirection as an operating direction in which the operation input isperformed, a vehicle-mounted part attaching unit linked to one end ofthe extension toward the front side of the vehicle, and attached to thevehicle-mounted part, and an operating unit attaching unit linked to theother end of the extension toward the rear side of the vehicle, andattached to the operating unit.
 22. The display device for a vehicleaccording to claim 18, wherein the operating unit is attached to avehicle-mounted part by way of a supporting member; and wherein thesupporting member includes an extension extending in generally the samedirection as an operating direction in which the operation input isperformed, a vehicle-mounted part attaching unit linked to one end ofthe extension toward the front side of the vehicle, and attached to thevehicle-mounted part, and an operating unit attaching unit linked to theother end of the extension toward the rear side of the vehicle, andattached to the operating unit.
 23. A display device for a vehiclecomprising: a first display unit situated toward the front of thevehicle from a passenger seated in a seat; and a second display unitformed of a transparent or semi-transparent material, the second displayunit being disposed separated from the first display unit; wherein thesecond display unit is situated between the eyes of the passengerviewing a display screen of the first display unit and the first displayunit, and situated at a position overlaying the first display unit inthe line of sight of the passenger viewing the display screen of thefirst display unit.
 24. The display device for a vehicle according toclaim 23, further comprising: a control unit that controls imagesdisplayed on the first display unit and the second display unit; whereinthe control unit effects control such that a right eye image and a lefteye image, which are disparity images, are displayed on the seconddisplay unit.
 25. The display device for a vehicle according to claim24, further comprising: a detecting unit that detects the position ofthe eyes of a passenger; wherein the control unit effects control so asto change display positions of the right eye image and the left eyeimage based on detection results from the detecting unit.
 26. Thedisplay device for a vehicle according to claim 24, wherein the seconddisplay unit includes a touch panel to detect whether the inputoperation input has been performed as to an operating surface bytouching or coming into proximity; and wherein the control unit sets aregion including a region in which the right eye image can be displayed,and a region in which the left eye image can be displayed, as anoperable region in which the touch panel can be operated.
 27. Thedisplay device for a vehicle according to claim 24, wherein the firstdisplay unit includes a touch panel to detect whether the inputoperation has been performed as to an operating surface by touching orcoming into proximity.
 28. The display device for a vehicle according toclaim 23, wherein the second display unit has an optical filter at theside thereof toward the rear of the vehicle the optical filter beingconfigured to transmit light of a particular direction; and wherein thefilter transmits light in a direction of the line of sight of either oneof the right eye and the left eye of the passenger viewing the firstdisplay unit, but transmits little or no light in a direction of theline of sight of the other of the right eye and the left eye.
 29. Thedisplay device for a vehicle according to claim 28, wherein either oneof the first display unit and the second display unit includes a touchpanel to detect whether the input operation has been performed as to anoperating surface by touching or coming into proximity.